As we are more and more exposed to the presidential candidates in these weeks leading to the election a series of questions has arisen in many of us: Who is the better option for our country at this time? Who has policies and beliefs I most identify with? Are we being punk’d? Do I HAVE to choose?
If you’re feeling pushed into a corner to pick which side you’re on, here’s an unbiased, impartial list of what each candidate believes and plans to achieve and ways of doing so. No Twitter fights, no angry yelling; just pure facts.
These are three of the candidates many ideas on each of the following topics: the economy, rights, education, the environment, and health.
Since I am left-handed, I will start with the left side: Hillary Clinton
On the economy
Believes that high-income Americans don’t pay less than middle-class and low-income Americans.
How she will do it: create a “fair share surcharge” by charging a tax on the taxpayers that make more than $5 million a year
Believes in cutting taxes on small business to urge them to grow.
Believes in tax relief for families that are struggling with rising costs such as health care.
On LGBTQ
Wants to end conversion therapy, create shelters, and take more action towards stopping bullying in schools.
Wants making changes to gender on identification documents more accessible.
Wants to put an end to discrimination against the LGBTQ community
On Education
Believes in raises to the child care workforce.
How she will do it: Respect and Increases Salaries for Early Childhood Educators (RAISE).
Wants to strengthen efforts in preventing sexual assault, especially on college campuses by providing more educational programs not just in college, but earlier as well.
Believes public colleges/universities should not leave students in debt with free community college
On the Environment
Create safer means of energy production
How she will do it: Focus on clean energy
More protection for domesticated animals including strict regulations on puppy mills.
Believes in family farms with safety nets during bad weather and low crop yields
On Health
Wants to ensure paid family and medical leave for up to 12 weeks with no additional cost to the business
Increase concentration on mental health and substance abuse including a nation-wide suicide prevention program in high schools and colleges and more accessible treatment for addiction
Supports Planned Parenthood
Moving onto Donald Trump
On the Economy
Create 25 million jobs within the next 10 years
How he will do it: “For each one percent in added GDP growth, the economy adds 1.2 million jobs. Increasing growth by 1.5 percent would result in 18 million jobs (1.5 million times 1.2 million, multiplied by 10 years” )
Grow an average of 3.5 percent a year
Reduce taxes and loosen grip on anti-growth regulations
On the Second Amendment
Preserve original freedoms and values that America was founded on
Protect the American freedom without disregarding the constitution
Stresses the importance on free speech and religion as well as the right to bear arms
On Education
Invest $20 billion to school choice
How he will do it: reprioritize federal money
Provide schooling to impoverished American children
Make college and technical schools more accessible and affordable
On the Environment
No longer be dependent on OPEC for importing energy
Use natural gas to cut emissions and reduce energy price and increase output
Believes in the conservation of natural habitats and state parks
On Health
Replace Obamabare with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Allow Americans to purchase health insurance across state borders
Give block grants so local leaders can create their own Medicaid programs so they can better tailor to their citizens needs
While these are only a few of Trump and Clinton's ideas and plans, there is a general pattern in the views of both of them. I encourage every voter (and non-voter) to research these candidates to make a better informed decision this November! Don't forget to register and practice your rights.
*All information is pulled from both hillaryclinton.com and donaldtrump.com
